the church of kindness…

April 4, 2012

Money is short…time even shorter…yet still I found myself wandering my local thrift store because this is what I do when I feel particularly bad about either of those things. There it was, a really, really old church pew. I know it’s old because it’s uncomfortable and so simply made. I wanted it bad. There was no good or logical reason to buy an old church pew, but it’s a good thing I am hardly ever logical I guess.

The Facebook status update went something like this:

i have no $ but bought a really, really old church pew today…and I figure many an old lady or gent said some prayers in those seats…and who needs money when you have the remnants of old lady prayers…

It sort of feels like that today, that you are leaning into something old, or something or one that has walked before you because you know on some level the people before you did too. So the old pew sits, and every morning I sit, for just a minute or two and let it hold all of me.

…and it sits under this window, so now all together, the stained glass window must make it official, colored light and all, I am opening the kindness church. (partially because I can’t seem to sit in a real church these days)

Just like any church, it holds hope and doubt, confusion, anger, truth, strength and a bit of solace. Except in this place, there is also swearing, not lots of sermons (except if someone forgets their jacket and you lose your cool, a kid may school you), lots of messes, a weekly dance party and maybe the occasional atheist, I’m not sure but I love that.

and I am pretty sure the the Dalai Lama was right when he said, “My religion is simple, my religion is Kindness.”

There is no should, or drumming it up, or right way, it is just being. If you don’t feel kind, it’s probably because you need some yourself and if you are scared, there is courage waiting for you, and if there is wonder, there is beauty in trying it out…if there is a place where love and human connection exist, it is in kindness.

So the church is open my friends, come and sit…or find a bus bench, a couch, a subway seat, a sidewalk step, it’s all there too…ready to hold all of you.

27 Responses to “the church of kindness…”

I love this. I wish I could find an old pew seat to buy. I get what you are saying. I feel the same way. To just sit for a moment and talk to God and say thank for today. To be still. Just a moment in my day, but it makes it all seem better. Now to find me a pew….

LOVE! 🙂 I’m right there with ya…it seems a bit more open than a pew in a typical church…less judgemental…less boundaries…less shoulds…it is a kindness pew…i will find my kindness place today…love to you!

I lost my job 6 months ago and thrift stores are where I go to get inspire. Your posts seem to come at just the right time… we started a new company and the future looks promising but this week we ran out of cash. I know we will be ok but I’m going to try leaning in the prayers of mamas who came before me. That is a powerful force.

LOVE!!! I have one too, but it serves as an altar in my bedroom (which is kind of funny because I am Jewish) it has candles, crystals, a piece of art, and some lovely jeweled lamps at each end. ENJOY …… a good place to rest your bones and unload your soul 🙂

Oh Patience, I love the idea that someone went before me, the same struggle, the same hope, the same prayers…it really does help to know you are not alone, now or before or after you have been here…wherever “here” happens to be. Thank you for your kind and honest words. I needed them so much today.

I too have always wanted an old church pew. one day I found one for free on craigslist. when we went to get it we found that it was from our old church. It now sits on my front porch….in true southern style. I love the idea of sitting on it each morning and letting it hold me. thank you for your inspiration!

As a little girl sitting in the pew in church I was consumed with love, as I grew older I started to see large discrepancies in the messages being sent at church. I want to be that little girl again, sittin in the pew, consumed with love. Your post brought me right back there – thank-you!!

I love this post and wish I lived close enough to come do some sitting in that sacred pew. old prayers…..tears cried…joy felt….remnants of days past filled with hope of new tomorrows…..the seat of hope….
thanks for this post..I needed it today..now I want a pew too.

I loved this sentence that you penned :
” If you don’t feel kind, it’s probably because you need some yourself and if you are scared, there is courage waiting for you, and if there is wonder, there is beauty in trying it out…if there a place where love and human connection exist, it is in kindness. ”

This is so true. We are happiest when we are kind. 🙂 Thank you and have a great day!

Church of Kindness is a good place to sit and collect your thoughts, feel your feelings and let it go if it needs to be let go of. I am often recited that quote about serenity and all it seems to do is irk me, so this quietness, existing and receiving sounds like a good method to me. Thanks for sharing, Patience.

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